Fly Fishing Utah

Our Orvis Endorsed guides provide wade/walk fly fishing on our home waters, Rock Creek, the Duchesne, Lake Fork, Strawberry, Uintah, Whiterocks and Yellowstone Rivers. We hold the only National Forest Utah fly fishing guide permits for Whiterocks, Uintah, Yellowstone, Lake Fork and Rock Creek, you will not run into other guided fisherman on these rivers. These and many smaller streams on the south slope of the High Uintas provide the excitement and challenges of catching wild trout. These mountain freestone streams and tailwaters are guided as catch and release to sustain the population of native wild fish. You can also enhance your next trip with a stop on the Weber or Provo River on your drive to or from the lodge. We can arrange for guided float trips on the famous Green River as well.

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Awesome! I have never fished wading in a river, so I warned Brian that I have no knowledge on how to fly-fish on a river. Standing in the middle of a fast running river, I had my doubts. Half a dozen browns later plus a 21 inched … I’m hooked – Orvis Review by Milton 2013

Home Waters Detail

Lake Fork River

The Lake Fork is a clear stream flowing from beautiful Moon Lake. Falcon’s Ledge guests have access to 2.5 miles of the lower river at the Lake Fork River Ranch. At the ranch guests will find a combination of braided sections of river along with sections where the river comes together to form long, sweeping runs, undercut banks, deep holes, and some beaver dams as well.

The river supports healthy populations of Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout – and in the last few years the native cutthroat are starting to reappear in the Lake Fork. Trophy Brown trout over 20” have been caught in the deeper holes and runs, while the rainbow and Brook trout are more common in the riffles and shallower runs.

Like other area streams, the Lake Fork exhibits great hatches of dark and golden stones, caddis and mayflies. In August, a brief but prolific hatch of mahogany duns seems to bring every fish up to take a look. Utah fly fishing at it’s finest.

Strawberry River

The guides’ favorite, the Strawberry River is a highly technical, but highly rewarding tailwater fishery. The upper section tumbles down a wild and amazingly scenic canyon with large cliffs and stunning rock formations a great example of Utah fly fishing. Deep pools, beaver ponds, and undercut banks on this section hold many wary browns from thirteen to eighteen inches.

Amazing stonefly and green drake hatches occur in June and early July. Terrestrials like hoppers, beetles and cicadas can bring fish to the surface from July on, but bead head nymphs fished as droppers are the most consistent producers in the late summer.

Farther downstream, the lower stretch of the river fishes much like a large spring creek with long smooth runs interspersed with riffles and deep pools. Large browns and stout rainbows can be unusually wary and spread out here so long casts, long leaders, considerable stealth, and a guide with a good knowledge of water and fish are a necessity.

Great PMD and yellow sally hatches begin in July and go through August. Hoppers also produce in the late summer and early autumn afternoons. Browns can reach twenty-seven inches and rainbows get up to four or five pounds with powerful sixteen to eighteen inchers being normal. These fish provide a challenge to any angler and a test for their equipment when hooked.

Rock Creek

A scenic freestone stream, Rock Creek, runs cold and clear almost year-round. The upper stretches babble through evergreen forests and provide excellent pocket-water habitat for brookies, rainbows, and cutthroats. This is excellent dry fly water in the mid and late summer, where attractor patterns produce consistent action.

The lower reaches of Rock Creek slow and meander through cottonwoods, willows, and grassy meadows. Here some deep pools and undercut banks hide rainbows and wary browns. Fish averaging ten to fourteen inches are common and some nice sixteen to twenty inch fish can be found in the lower sections.

Rock Creek’s major hatches include golden stones in June and early July, caddis beginning in June and going throughout the summer, and several different mayflies from May through August. In the late summer and autumn, terrestrials can also produce excellent fishing.

Duchesne RIver

The Duchesne is the largest of the waters draining the south slope of the Uinta Mountains . The upper river and its tributaries spring from alpine meadows and flow down through beautiful forested canyons. The upper stretches and tributaries hold many native cutthroat and wild brook trout.

The river eventually begins to slow and meander as it moves through farmlands and pastures at lower elevations. This technical and unpredictable stretch of water is perhaps the most intriguing for fishermen as it provides a home to stout rainbows and browns. Most fish are in the fourteen to eighteen inch range but some large browns go all the way up to the mid twenties.

June and early July hatches of large stoneflies, green drakes, and PMDs are fantastic. Weighted nymphs and nymph droppers are also consistent patterns throughout the year. High water streamer fishing can also produce jolting strikes.

Uintah RIver

The Uintah River is a wonderful mountain stream flowing from the South Slope of the Uinta Mountain range and is home to native cutthroats, vividly colored brookies, hefty browns, and healthy rainbows. The river fishes best in mid to late summer and in the fall months.

Trout will aggressively take dry flies throughout the season. The Uintah sees wonderful caddis and drake hatches, and a good terrestrial pattern always seems to do the trick. Some trout in the 20” range have been taken by clients and guides in this wonderful river.

The Uintah River also gives the rare opportunity to complete a four species grand slam right on one river. With many braids and diversity of terrain, the river provides great fishing for all skills levels. The Uintah River also provides plenty of fly-fishing solitude as Falcons Ledge is the only permitted guiding outfit on the river. This is one river you will not want to miss during your stay at Falcons Ledge.

Whiterocks River

A great mountain stream, the Whiterocks is one of the most beautiful mountain streams you will ever fish.

Located in Whiterocks canyon, the river highlights huge cliffs on either side and feeling of solitude and seclusion that you rarely feel while on the water these days. Most of the canyon is protected Tribal Land – part of the nearby Ute Tribe Indian Reservation. Falcons Ledge is fortunate to be the only permitted guiding operation on this wonderful stream.

The river holds huge populations of colorful brook trout and feisty native cutthroat trout. Occasionally, a rainbow or brown can also be taken. Fish are aggressive and will surface to dry flies throughout the season. Don’t forget to keep your eyes and ears open, as local legend hold large stashes of gold are hidden in Whiterocks Canyon, their deposited location only known to the Indian ancestors.

Yellowstone River

A spectacular little mountain stream, the Yellowstone, drains from the highest of Utah’s peaks and is home to good populations of native cutthroats and wild brook trout, browns, and rainbows. Most fish average in the ten to twelve inch range but are plentiful, active, and beautiful.

This is the perfect place to learn stream fishing with a dry fly as eager trout rise quickly out of the many pockets and riffles. The experienced angler is also sure to have an interesting and fulfilling fishing experience spending a day tossing dries to wild trout. The Yellowstone also offers the rare opportunity for a four species grand slam from one stream.

Runoff usually lasts until early July and hatches of small golden stoneflies, caddis, and various mayflies provide good action throughout the mid to late summer. The stream babbles among forests and meadows where deer and elk frequently graze. Occasionally, an unconcerned moose even decides to join us in wading the stream. The fish, wildlife and scenery are amazing, and other anglers are few and far between.

Private Stillwaters

Eight stillwaters surround the lodge at Falcon’s Ledge and seven more are just minutes away, the environment in these stillwaters is perfect habitat for trout to forage and grow. Perfect your cast from the banks or enjoy testing your skill in one of our float tubes or pontoon boats. The stillwaters provide an excellent learning ground for beginning fly fishers and hold many trophy size fish to excite the most seasoned fly fisherman. The largest fish to date has been recorded at 32 inches with the average fish being in the 18 to 20 inch range. There is no way of knowing in which of the eight stillwaters the next big fish will be caught.

Each stillwater has its own secrets and idiosyncrasies that provide endless challenges and variety. These waters are catch and release with barbless hooks only.